Born and raised in Minnesota, Larry Hennig was a high school athletic star who won the wrestling state championship his senior year. He earned an athletic scholarship to the University of Minnesota, but after a year the financial pressures of family life caused him to drop out and go to work.

Larry and his wife started a real estate company, and he later parlayed his strong amateur background into a tremendous success as a professional wrestler. Working mostly with the AWA, he became one of the top draws in the 1960s and ’70s.

First known as Pretty Boy Hennig, he later took on a new personna and became Larry “The Axe” Hennig. He teamed with Harley Race (Class of 2005) to become world tag team champions on several occasions and was a singles star, as well. He and his son, Curt Hennig, won the NWA tag-team title in 1982.

Today, Larry owns a successful real estate company in St. Cloud, Minnesota and he stays active in the promotion of professional wrestling.

Class of ’14 – Lou Thesz Award

Larry Hennig makes history by becoming the first person to be inducted into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, and to receive the Lou Thesz Award. Larry’s son, Curt, is also a member of the Hall of Fame.